Medieval philosophy
Medieval philosophy integrated ancient thought with theological inquiry.
Medieval philosophy is the philosophy that existed through the Middle Ages, roughly from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century until after the Renaissance in the 13th and 14th centuries. It began as a project of independent philosophical inquiry in Baghdad in the middle of the 8th century and in the itinerant court of Charlemagne in Aachen in the last quarter of the 8th century. It is defined partly by the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman culture and partly by the need to address theological problems and integrate sacred doctrine with secular learning. Understanding God was the focal point of study for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim philosophers and theologians.
- period
- 5th century to 13th/14th centuries
- beginnings
- Baghdad (mid-8th century) and Aachen (last quarter of 8th century)
- main periods
- Early Middle Ages to 12th century; golden age of 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries
- key figures
- Augustine of Hippo, Boethius, Thomas Aquinas, Avicenna, Averroes, Anselm
- central problems
- Faith vs. reason, existence and simplicity of God, theology and metaphysics, knowledge, universals, individuation
- defining characteristic
- Integration of theology with secular learning and ancient philosophy
Lore & Background
The history of medieval philosophy is traditionally divided into two main periods: the period in the Latin West following the Early Middle Ages until the 12th century, when the works of Aristotle and Plato were rediscovered, translated, and studied, and the 'golden age' of the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, which witnessed the culmination of the recovery of ancient philosophy along with the reception of its Arabic commentators. The high medieval Scholastic period was disparaged by Renaissance humanists as a barbaric 'middle period' between the Classical age and the Renaissance, but modern historians consider it a period of philosophical development heavily influenced by Christian theology. One of the most notable thinkers, Thomas Aquinas, never considered himself a philosopher and criticized philosophers for always 'falling short of the true and proper wisdom.'
Reader's Guide
Medieval philosophy's significance lies in its synthesis of ancient Greek and Roman thought with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim theology. It established the framework for later Western philosophy by addressing fundamental problems such as the relation of faith to reason, the existence and nature of God, and the problem of universals. Thinkers like Augustine and Boethius shaped early medieval thought, while the later Scholastic period, centered on figures like Thomas Aquinas, produced systematic works that integrated Aristotelian logic with Christian doctrine. The period also saw the recovery of Aristotle's works and the influence of Arabic commentators like Avicenna and Averroes. Despite Renaissance humanists' dismissal, modern historians recognize medieval philosophy as a period of genuine philosophical development, not merely a servant of theology. Its legacy includes the development of logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of religion, and its methods of argumentation and analysis continue to influence philosophical inquiry.
Did You Know?
- Medieval philosophy began in Baghdad in the mid-8th century and in Charlemagne's court in Aachen in the last quarter of the 8th century.
- Thomas Aquinas never considered himself a philosopher and criticized philosophers for 'falling short of the true and proper wisdom.'
- Augustine's statement 'Si fallor, sum' (if I err, therefore I exist) anticipated Descartes' cogito.
- The problem of universals was introduced to the medieval world through Boethius's translation of Porphyry's Isagoge.
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